Delaware North is providing a $1 million gift to the Explore & More Children’s Museum for its capital campaign to build a new museum at Canalside on the Buffalo, N.Y., waterfront, Delaware North Co-CEO Lou Jacobs and his wife, Joan, announced Thursday.
The gift for the museum’s “Play It Forward” campaign is in sponsorship of the “Being Good Neighbors” 
educational play zone in the new museum, set to open in the second half of 2018.
The Jacobs made the announcement at a Culture Day program that Explore & More educators facilitated with third-grade students at Waterfront Elementary/Buffalo Public School No. 95.
“Being good neighbors, celebrating our diversity, and investing in the future of Buffalo’s children are shared missions of both Explore & More and Delaware North. Like our investment in Say Yes, we are happy to be a part of this project that will have such a profound impact on the lives of children and families here for years to come,” Lou Jacobs said.
He said Delaware North’s sponsorship of the “Being Good Neighbors” exhibit is especially appropriate “because Buffalo has always been very good to our company.” Delaware North was founded 100 years ago in Buffalo by the Jacobs family and this month moved into a new global headquarters in the city.
Joan Jacobs said Delaware North is also looking forward to helping the museum fulfill its mission.
“Delaware North will also extend its resources and expertise in providing exceptional visitor experiences to help Explore & More build the world-class institution that the City of Good Neighbors deserves,” Joan Jacobs said. “We hope our neighbors join us in supporting this most worthwhile project.”
David McNamara, managing partner of Phillips Lytle and chairman of Explore & More’s capital campaign, praised Delaware North’s longstanding commitment to Buffalo and its commitment to serving children.
“There is no better neighbor in the City of Good Neighbors than Delaware North and the Jacobs family,” McNamara said.
Celebrating its 21st year in operation, Explore & More Children’s Museum provides an environment for creative play and learning through hands-on exhibits, activities and programs that inspire creativity, curiosity and imagination. The museum is currently located in East Aurora, N.Y.
PHOTO CAPTION: Children at Waterfront Elementary/Buffalo Public School No. 95 thank Delaware North – including Lou and Joan Jacobs, who are pictured in the back row – for a major commitment to a future educational destination.